LANSING, MI (AP)-- After years of declining population, Michigan's leading population expert says the industrial state finally seems to be on track toward growth again.
The U.S. Census reported this month that Michigan's population rose a razor-thin 0.1 percent to 9.91 million in 2014, the third straight increase.
Despite the increase, Michigan dropped to the 10th most populous state this year as North Carolina jumped to Number 9.
And the number of people moving to Michigan continues to trail the number migrating elsewhere, with births accounting for the slight rise.
Even so, state Demographer Eric Guthrie says the small increase "is a welcome change from the mid- to late 200s, when Michigan experienced several years of consecutive population losses."
Michigan's unemployment dropped 0.4 points to a seasonally adjusted 6.7 percent in November.